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This week's episode was recorded LIVE IN SEATTLE! There's the case, "May It Placebo the Court," Swift Justice cases about making new friends, having tiles shipped to a friend's house, and smart lights. Plus music from Shabazz Palaces! Show notes

Judge John Hodgman Episode 120: Halal In The Family

Stephanie brings the case against her boyfriend, Dan. Her religious beliefs bar her from eating pork or keeping it in their shared home; she'd like Dan to follow the same restriction. He says that when he's away from the home, he'd like to be able to eat what he wants. Who is right?

We are joined this week by expert witness Brother Ali. Judge Jesse Thorn fills in for Judge John Hodgman, and Jordan Morris steps up as guest bailiff.

Thank you to listener Kevin Brown for suggesting this week's episode name!

Comments

I wish Brother Ali had the opportunity to elaborate on the idea of compulsion as malpractice of Islam. If anyone familiar with the Qur'an could cite chapter and verse, I would very much appreciate it.

I find it interesting that Islam prioritises the spirit of its dictates over any literal interpretation. As an atheist I won't presume to understand, but I would think that consuming ersatz pork products like turkey bacon flies in the face of the spirit of the injunction...certainly it observes the letter of the mandate, but any such technicality presumes to understand the motive for Allah's command, no?

On a more secular note I had never before noticed anyone referring to Mexico City as D.F.—is the term most commonly used in a culinary context?

I wish Brother Ali had the opportunity to elaborate on the idea of compulsion as malpractice of Islam. If anyone familiar with the Qur'an could cite chapter and verse, I would very much appreciate it.

I find it interesting that Islam prioritises the spirit of its dictates over any literal interpretation. As an atheist I won't presume to understand, but I would think that consuming ersatz pork products like turkey bacon flies in the face of the spirit of the injunction...certainly it observes the letter of the mandate, but any such technicality presumes to understand the motive for Allah's command, no?

On a more secular note I had never before noticed anyone referring to Mexico City as D.F.; is the term most commonly used in a culinary context?

I think the decision was a fair one. But I didn't like how Stephanie seemed to assume she would have full control over how the potential children are to be raised. If you're not in a relationship where both have exactly the same faith, then you can't assume your faith will be your children's faith. And that's as lightly as I can deal with the issue of faith and raising children.

Pigs are actually very clean animals. The idea of them being "dirty" goes back to when people didn't understand proper methods of butchering them. Now that we understand how to properly butcher and cook them, it's al good. Plus, they are cute and smart.